Burger definitely not named after Medicare hack, says DPS - and $3m building works finally completed

Anyone in search of cheerier workplace could do worse than to hit up the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) according to its latest engagement survey. Just avoid the call centres.

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Job satisfaction amongst public sector workers at the ATO has skyrocketed, hitting 81 per cent this year.

Our interpretation of a 'data breach' burger and Governor General Sam Moysten. Pictures by Australian Parliamentary Library, Shutterstock

Some 87 per cent would recommend their office as a good place to work - a whopping 14 per cent more than the APS average and up 8 per cent on ATO's own results since 2023.

"I am proud to work at my agency": up four points in four years to 84 per cent.

"I feel committed to my agency's goals": up five points to 89 per cent.

"I am happy to go the 'extra mile' at work when required" has held steady at 90 per cent for the last three years.

Of course, these buoyant results don't capture the sentiments felt by the ATO's 2000-odd labour hire workers employed to man the phones in call centres operated by Probe Operations, Concentrix Services and Serco Citizen Services.

Representing about a tenth of the agency's workforce, their wages are so low (40 per cent below the ATO's pay scale) they're being challenged in the Fair Work Commission in a test case of the Albanese government's 'Same Job, Same Pay' laws.

While the ATO has opted not to be actively heard in the matter apart from assisting the commission, this did not stop it from inking a $223 million contract extension with Probe in April, bringing its total value to $432.9 million over four years.

Now that's the extra mile.

Reddit, hate it

The Community and Public Sector Union must have its hands full dealing with its members' reactions to the Albanese government's pay rise offer of 9 per cent rise over three years, above forecast inflation but well below the 15 per cent sought.

Public service haunts on Reddit had notes.

"So... when are we striking?"

"Laughed at their reasoning being 'it's above Treasury's forecasted [consumer price index], as if ... Treasury forecasts are reliable."

"Buying next gen submarine."

"Unfortunately the strike action that was taken last year was kinda lame. Nothing like the s*** we would do in the APS of the 80s."

Lest we forget that in October 1989, members from 24 public service unions went on a 24 hour nationwide strike over - get ready - higher duties allowances.

Glory days.

The burgers are better at Parliament House

Parliament House workers queuing up at the Staff Dining Room (affectionately known as "the trough", despite DPS protestations) found themselves face-to-face with a new menu item this week: the Data Breach Burger.

The Department of Parliamentary Services insists the burger - featuring an angus beef patty, bacon, beetroot, cheese, "secret sauce" and fries - is not named after the recent heist of private Medicare data by an OpenAI model that had Jurassic Park'd its enclosure.

Turns out the culinary novelty is among a series being rolled out through October as part of Safety and Security Month - itself a side salad of Cyber Action Year, National Safe Work Month and World Mental Health Day.

"The aim is to support a strong physical security, cyber security and work health and safety culture," a spokesperson said, with menu items to return to their original names at the end of the month.

May we offer a suggestion for November's dessert: Housing Bubble-O-Bill. Price to be determined.

Good for Keerthi

Look out White Lotus, the writers over at Treasury are ready to give you a run for your money.

A freedom of information request for the department's leave and conflict of interest policies unearthed some pearler fictional training scenarios.

Like Keerthi, whose best friend Allison "works for a large consulting firm" and receives a lavish overseas holiday as a bonus.

What should Keerthi do after Allison invited her to come along - all while she is working on a tender that may go to her company?

Keerthi reports the potential conflict to her manager who offers her this conundrum: Reject the trip, or "withdraw from any involvement in the current procurement, and any future procurements that may involve the company."

Keerthi ultimately withdraws from procurements, takes the holiday and reports it on the Gifts and Benefits Register.

Big four consulting contracts are fleeting, but first class return flights to a five-star hotel in Bora Bora with bestie are forever.

Red ribbon slashed

A flash new refurb of Parliament House's ground floor library finally opened last week, after a slight budget overrun and a lengthy delay because of its proximity to the Minister's wing of the building.

Originally scheduled for completion in mid-2023 with a budget of just over $2.5 million, Senate estimates earlier this year heard an advice pile-on by multiple agencies had pushed it back to an August open date and added $200,000 to the construction bill.

How quickly August becomes October. The Department of Parliamentary Services did not respond by deadline to Public Eyes' questions about the finalised cost, which had topped $3 million (inclusive of GST) at the last estimate almost a year ago.

Governor General Sam Mostyn, Speaker of the House Milton Dick and Senate President Sue Lines were on hand to slice a virtual red ribbon on a wall-sized touch screen at the official opening last week.

The installation allows building employees to swipe and search through every election and electorate in Australian history, as well as a range of economic metrics dating back to federation.

Did this columnist detect an air of reluctance when Communications Minister Anika Wells shouted out Meta vice president and global head of safety Antigone Davis, in the audience during her National Press Club speech on Thursday?

Ms Wells acknowledged the exec when responding to a question about the government's talks with the platform about United States President Donald Trump's plan (since abandoned) to live stream the execution of Nidal Hasan, sparking angst over whether Australians' eyes could be digitally shielded.

The pair would have had plenty else to discuss, with Meta currently under investigation by the eSafety Commissioner for "systemic non-compliance" with Australia's under-16s social media ban as the government consults on its plan to legislate a digital duty of care, while deftly avoiding calls for a standalone AI Act.

We wonder if Ms Davis tried the data breach burger while she was in town?

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